Utensil and napkin support and method

ABSTRACT

A utensil and napkin holder is disclosed. The utensil and napkin holder may include a holder body. The holder body includes an elongate utensil support member having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, the longitudinal dimension being substantially longer than the transverse dimension. The utensil support member having one or more recesses therein disposed to support corresponding one or more utensils at or near utility ends of the one or more utensils. The one or more utensils oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension. A napkin holding arrangement is defined by one or more surfaces of one or more of: at least a portion of the holder body, the one or more utensils, and an underlying surface. The napkin holding arrangement including a substantially unobstructed retrieval path whereby a napkin, once in the napkin holding arrangement, is retrievable from the napkin holding arrangement without any substantial disruption to the holder body or to the one or more utensils.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to supporting utensils. More specifically, this application relates to a supporting utensils in a manner to keep them from contacting an underlying table wherein an accompanying napkin can picked up without substantially disrupting the utensils.

SUMMARY

Currently when a table is set with utensils, for example place settings at a restaurant, the utensils are typically placed on top of a napkin. The restaurant patron will then, typically, remove the napkin from underneath the utensils and place it on their lap, or on their shirt. The patron will then, typically, when faced with no other alternative, place the utensils on the table surface until the meal is served. This situation is problematic in that the table surface may include germs that may be harmful to the patron, and the germs may contact that eating utensils and consequently be ingested by the patron.

Therefore, there is a significant need for an apparatus or method to enable placing one or more utensils onto a surface such as a table, that allows a user to move the napkin without having to place at least the utility end of the utensil(s) in contact with underlying surface.

This application discloses a utensil, and napkin support and/or display device that is economical to produce, of simple construction and capable of mass production, but also capable of providing an apparatus, device and method to enable a user, such as a restaurant patron, to remove a napkin from a place setting without significantly disturbing the eating utensils included in the place setting, and without having to position, at least the utility ends of, the eating utensils such that they may contact an underlying surface.

In particular, this application discloses a utensil and napkin holder including a holder body. The holder body may include an elongate utensil support member having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, the longitudinal dimension being substantially longer than the transverse dimension, the utensil support member having one or more recesses therein disposed to support corresponding one or more utensils at or near utility ends of the one or more utensils, the one or more utensils oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension. The utensil and napkin holder may also include a napkin holding arrangement defined by one or more surfaces of one or more of: at least a portion of the holder body, the one or more utensils, and an underlying surface. The napkin holding arrangement may also include a substantially unobstructed retrieval path whereby a napkin, once in the napkin holding arrangement, is retrievable from the napkin holding arrangement without any substantial disruption to the holder body or to the one or more utensils.

This application also discloses a utensil and napkin holder that may have a first element having a longitudinal axis and configured to support eating utensils above an underlying surface such that the eating utensils are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The utensil and napkin holder may also have a second element coupled with the first element and configured to house a napkin such that the napkin can be separated from the utensil and napkin holder without moving the eating utensils. In Some embodiments the second element may be a cylindrical element fixed to the first element. The cylindrical element may have a central axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first element. The utensil and napkin holder may have a first position whereby the central axis is substantially normal to the underlying surface, and a second position whereby the central axis is substantially parallel with the underlying surface.

Finally, this application discloses a method for supporting one or more utensils and a napkin on a surface such that at least a utility end of the one or more utensils does not touch the surface. In some embodiments the method may include placing a utensil and napkin holder onto the surface. The method may also include supporting the one or more utensils with the utensil and napkin holder at or near the utility end of the one or more utensils above the surface. The method may also include positioning the napkin in a napkin holding arrangement, the napkin holding arrangement defined by one or more of: a portion of the utensil and napkin holder, a portion of the one or more utensils, and the surface; the napkin holding arrangement including a substantially unobstructed retrieval path whereby the napkin, once in the napkin holding arrangement, is retrievable from the napkin holding arrangement without any significant disruption to the one or more utensils or the utensil and napkin holder.

The phase “defined by one or more of: a portion of the utensil and napkin holder, a portion of the one or more utensils, and the surface” may be interpreted to mean that one or more surfaces of the utensil and napkin holder, and/or the one or more utensils, and the underlying surface may surround and be said to form a space wherein a napkin may be placed, or temporarily housed.

In some embodiments the surface may be, for example, a table at a restaurant. In such cases, the method may also include having a restaurant patron remove the napkin from the napkin holding arrangement via the retrieval path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a utensil and napkin holder illustrated in a first orientation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the utensil and napkin holder in second orientation substantially perpendicular to the first orientation;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the utensil and napkin holder;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a utensil and napkin holder;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the utensil and napkin holder;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the utensil and napkin holder;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the utensil and napkin holder;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the utensil and napkin holder with a napkin in place in a napkin holding arrangement; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present utensil and napkin holder is described with reference to several illustrative embodiments described herein, it should be clear that the present invention should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments provided herein is illustrative of the present invention and should not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. In addition, while the following description references drawings showing particular configurations and proportions, it will be appreciated that the invention may be configured to have other configurations and proportions.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, a utensil and napkin holder 10 is disclosed. The utensil and napkin holder 10 may be constructed from any sufficiently durable and resilient material such as metal, polymer, composite, etc. The utensil and napkin holder 10 may include a holder body 15. The holder body 15 may include an elongate utensil support member 20 having a longitudinal dimension 25 and a transverse dimension 30. The longitudinal dimension 25 may be substantially longer than the transverse dimension 30. The utensil support member 20 may have one or more recesses 35 therein. The recesses 35 may be disposed to support corresponding one or more utensils 40 at or near utility ends 45 of the one or more utensils 40. The utensil support member 20 and/or the recesses 35 may be configured to support the one or more utensils 40 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension 25. In some embodiments the one or more recesses 35 are three recesses 35 each respectively configured to support one of a knife, a fork, and a spoon.

In some embodiments the phase “The longitudinal dimension 25 may be substantially longer than the transverse dimension 30” may be considered to be two, three, or five or more times longer than the transverse dimension.

The utensil and napkin holder 10 may include a napkin holding arrangement 50 defined by one or more surfaces of one or more of: at least a portion of the holder body 15, the one or more utensils 40, and an underlying surface 55. The napkin holding arrangement 50 may include a substantially unobstructed retrieval path 57 whereby a napkin 60, once in the napkin holding arrangement 50, is retrievable from the napkin holding arrangement 50 without any substantial disruption to the holder body 15 or to the one or more utensils 40.

The phase “without any substantial disruption to the holder body or to the one or more utensils” may be defined as being able to retrieve the napkin without any substantial movement of the one or more utensils or the holder body.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the one or more recesses 35 may be a first set of recesses on a first surface 36 of the utensil support member 20. In some cases, the utensil and napkin holder 10 may include a second set of recesses 38 on a second surface 39 of the utensil support member 20, wherein the second surface 39 may be perpendicular to the first surface 36. In one embodiment the utensil support member 20 may be cylindrical, or curvilinear, or the like, and the one or more recesses may be defined on a circumferential face on the utensil support member. In some embodiments the utensil support member 20 may not include recesses. In such cases utensils may be supported by, for example, the first surface 36 or the second surface 39.

In the example embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the utensil and napkin holder 10 may have at least two operative positions. Each position may enable one or more utensils and a napkin to be held, while the napkin may be removable from the utensil and napkin holder without significant disruption to the utensils. The napkin holder 50 may be a cylindrical body 70. The cylindrical body may be fixed to the utensil support member 20. The cylindrical body may have a central axis disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the utensil support member 20. As discussed, the utensil and napkin holder 10 may have a first position whereby the central axis is substantially normal to an underlying surface and the utensil and napkin holder 10 may also have a second position whereby the central axis is substantially parallel with the underlying surface.

In some embodiments of the utensil and napkin holder 10 the napkin holding arrangement 50 may be a substantially cylindrical body 70 coupled with the utensil support member 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 some embodiments may also include a ring 72 coupled with and at least partially surrounding the substantially cylindrical body 70. The ring 72 may be made integral with the utensil support member 20.

In some embodiments the utensil and napkin holder 10 may include a first ring 72 and a second ring 74. Each ring 72/74 may be coupled with and may at least partially surround the substantially cylindrical body 50. In some embodiments the first and second rings 72/74, the cylindrical body 50, and the utensil support member 20 may be made integrally. In other embodiments the first and second rings 72/74, the cylindrical body 50, and the utensil support member 20 may be disassemble-able into separate components in various combinations thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the napkin holding arrangement 50 may be a spiral shaped element 80 having a first end 85 coupled with the utensil support member 20 and a second end 90 extending upwardly from the utensil support member 20. In some cases the spiral shaped element 80 may be made integral with the utensil support member 20.

In some embodiments the spiral shaped element 80 may flare outwardly and may have a relatively smaller diameter relatively closer to the utensil support member 20 and a relatively larger diameter relatively further from the utensil support member 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, with some embodiments the elongate utensil holder may 20 be a first elongate utensil holder. The utensil and napkin holder 10 may also include a second elongate utensil holder 100 configured to be disposed substantially parallel with the first elongate utensil holder 20.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 may also include one or more bridge members 105 coupled at first end to the first elongate utensil holder 20, and coupled at a second end to the second elongate utensil holder 100. The napkin holding arrangement 50 may be located below the one or more bridge members 105 and between the first and second elongate utensil holders 20/100. In such cases the retrieval path 57 may be substantially parallel with the first and second elongate utensil holders 20/100.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment wherein the napkin holding arrangement 50 is a substantially cylindrical body 90 coupled with the utensil support member 20. In this example the substantially cylindrical body 90 may be formed as ring.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an example embodiment wherein the holder body 15 may include a semi-cylindrical body 110 and a flat support surface 120. The cylindrical body 15 may include a hollow internal cavity 122 that may be the napkin holding arrangement 50. In other embodiments the napkin holding arrangement 50 may be a space 95 defined in the substantially triangular space between the utensils 40 and an underlying surface 55, adjacent to the cylindrical body 110.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an example embodiment wherein the holder body includes a longitudinal slit 125 therein defining the napkin holding arrangement 50. The longitudinal slit may define a retrieval path 57 whereby the napkin 60 may be separated from the utensil and napkin holder 10 without any significant disruption to the utensils 40. In some examples, the longitudinal slit 125 may include a tapered profile. This may aid in removing the napkin 60 without disrupting the utensils 40.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A utensil and napkin holder comprising: a holder body; the holder body including an elongate utensil support member having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension, the longitudinal dimension being substantially longer than the transverse dimension, the utensil support member having one or more recesses therein disposed to support corresponding one or more utensils at or near utility ends of the one or more utensils, the one or more utensils oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension; and a napkin holding arrangement defined by one or more surfaces of one or more of: at least a portion of the holder body, the one or more utensils, and an underlying surface, the napkin holding arrangement including a substantially unobstructed retrieval path whereby a napkin, once in the napkin holding arrangement, is retrievable from the napkin holding arrangement without any substantial disruption to the holder body or to the one or more utensils.
 2. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the napkin holding arrangement is a substantially cylindrical body coupled with the utensil support member.
 3. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 2, further comprising a ring coupled with and at least partially surrounding the substantially cylindrical body.
 4. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 2, further comprising a ring coupled with and at least partially surrounding the substantially cylindrical body, the ring made integral with the utensil support member.
 5. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 2, further comprising a first and second ring each coupled with and at least partially surrounding the substantially cylindrical body.
 6. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 2, further comprising a first and second ring each coupled with and at least partially surrounding the substantially cylindrical body, wherein the first and second rings, the cylindrical body, and the utensil support member are made integrally.
 7. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 2, further comprising a first and second ring each coupled with and at least partially surrounding the substantially cylindrical body, wherein the first and second rings, the cylindrical body, and the utensil support member are disassemble-able into separate components.
 8. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the one or more recesses are three recesses each respectively configured to support one of a knife, a fork, and a spoon.
 9. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the napkin holding arrangement is a spiral shaped element having a first end coupled with the utensil support member and a second end extending upwardly from the utensil support member.
 10. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 9, wherein the spiral shaped element is made integral with the utensil support member.
 11. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 9, wherein the spiral shaped element flares outwardly having a relatively smaller diameter relatively closer to the utensil support member and a relatively larger diameter relatively further from the utensil support member.
 12. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the one or more recesses is a first set of recesses on a first surface of the utensil support member, and further comprising a second set of recesses on a second surface of the utensil support member, wherein the second surface is perpendicular to the first surface.
 13. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the elongate utensil holder is a first elongate utensil holder, further comprising a second elongate utensil holder configured to be disposed substantially parallel to the first elongate utensil holder.
 14. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 13, further comprising one or more bridge members coupled at first end to the first elongate utensil holder, and coupled at a second end to the second elongate utensil holder, and wherein the napkin holding arrangement is located below the one or more bridge members and between the first and second elongate utensil holders, and wherein the retrieval path is substantially parallel with the first and second elongate utensil holders.
 15. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the holder body includes a semi-cylindrical body and a flat support surface.
 16. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 1, wherein the holder body includes a longitudinal slit therein defining the napkin holding arrangement.
 17. A utensil and napkin holder comprising: a first element having a longitudinal axis and configured to support eating utensils above a surface such that the eating utensils are disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a second element coupled with the first element and configured to house a napkin such that the napkin can be separated from the utensil and napkin holder without moving the eating utensils.
 18. The utensil and napkin holder of claim 17, wherein the second element is a cylindrical element fixed to the first element, the cylindrical element having a central axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first element, the utensil and napkin holder having a first position whereby the central axis is substantially normal to the surface, and having a second position whereby the central axis is substantially parallel with the surface.
 19. A method for supporting one or more utensils and a napkin on a surface such that at least a utility end of the one or more utensils does not touch the surface, the method comprising: placing a utensil and napkin holder onto the surface; supporting the one or more utensils with the utensil and napkin holder at or near the utility end of the one or more utensils above the surface; positioning the napkin in a napkin holding arrangement, the napkin holding arrangement defined by one or more of: a portion of the utensil and napkin holder, a portion of the one or more utensils, and the surface; the napkin holding arrangement including a substantially unobstructed retrieval path whereby the napkin, once in the napkin holding arrangement, is retrievable from the napkin holding arrangement without any significant disruption to the one or more utensil or to the utensil and napkin holder.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surface is a table at a restaurant, the method further comprising having a restaurant patron remove the napkin from the napkin holding arrangement via the retrieval path. 